Veterinary medicines exempt from ACVM registration

Some vet medicines – including many animal foods, shampoos, and homeopathic treatments – don't need agricultural compound and veterinary medicine (ACVM) registration in New Zealand. This means you may use, import, manufacture, and sell them with little restriction.

About exemptions from ACVM registration

An exemption permits you to import, manufacture, sell, or use an agricultural compound without registration if you comply with the conditions on the exemption.

Exemptions are made by product type or group. Only groups that pose very little risk, if the products are manufactured and used properly, can be exempt. Conditions placed on the exemptions are to minimise the risk.

Groups of vet medicines exempt from ACVM registration

Examples of exempted groups include:

some over-the-counter products (such as first aid preparations, including general disinfectants, antiseptics, and sanitisers)

homeopathic oral or topical preparations

some herbal oral or topical preparations.

Petfood, stock feed, and supplements (oral nutritional compounds) are normally exempt from registration. However, if therapeutic claims are made – for example, that the product treats arthritis – it becomes a veterinary medicine and requires registration.